My ambition is to support the EU institutions in becoming more effective, transparent and accountable by strategically increasing the visibility and impact of the work of the European Ombudsman.
Ombudsman asks Commission to reassess Barroso appointment
The Ombudsman has asked that former Commission President Barroso’s employment with Goldman Sachs Bank be reassessed by its Ethics Committee
Ombudsman launches ‘fast-track’ complaint procedure for access to documents
Under the new system the Ombudsman aims to take a decision within two months of receiving an access to document complaint
Ombudsman launches list of Dos & Don’ts to help EU officials deal with lobbyists
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has published practical advice for EU officials on interacting with interest representatives.
Ombudsman urges appropriate Brexit transparency
The European Ombudsman has asked the European Commission to ensure transparency during the upcoming Brexit negotiations
Ombudsman says Member States must open up their opaque negotiations on EU laws
The Ombudsman has called on the Council to put in place measures to make EU law-making more accessible to the public.
What we do
The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the institutions and bodies of the European Union.
If you are a citizen of a Member State of the Union or reside in a Member State, you can make a complaint to the European Ombudsman. Businesses, associations or other bodies with a registered office in the Union may also complain to the Ombudsman.
Read More...Who we are
Emily O'Reilly took office as European Ombudsman on 1 October 2013.
She is the former National Ombudsman of Ireland and National information Commissioner of Ireland (2003-2013), and an award-winning political editor, broadcaster, and author.
Read More...The institution has a highly qualified, multilingual staff.
This means that we can deal with your complaint in your language as one of the 24 EU languages that we work in. We are committed to making our service fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Read More...How it works
Who can turn to the European Ombudsman?
Citizens, NGOs, associations, businesses, universities, journalists...
- With complaints concerning an EU institution, office or agency
- Who have already tried to solve the problem with the EU body concerned
- When the issue is not over two years old
- Where there is no other legal action underway
The Ombudsman can help with
- Unfair treatment by EU bodies
- Problems with EU tenders/contracts
- Late payments from EU funds
- Refused access to documents
- Delays in dealings with EU bodies
- Undisclosed or improper lobbying
What can the Ombudsman do?
- Follow-up your complaint with the EU body
- Help find a fair solution to your problem
- Issue recommendations to EU bodies
- Inspect EU documents
How to contact the Ombudsman?
- You can contact the Ombudsman in the 24 official EU languages
- Fill out the easy online complaint form
What's new?
-
18 April 2018
-
Press release -Ombudsman expresses disappointment at ECB response on President Draghi’s ‘Group of 30’ membership
-
Correspondence -Reply from the European Central Bank concerning the recommendations of the European Ombudsman on the involvement of the ECB's President and members of its decision-making bodies in the ’Group of Thirty’ (1697/2016/ANA)
-
-
17 April 2018
-
Correspondence -Reply from President Juncker to the Ombudsman's letter concerning securing appropriate stakeholder input in the Brexit negotiations and potential for further progress on transparency
-
Case opened -The European Commission’s partial refusal of access to documents concerning the Turkish Stream Pipeline project
-
Recommendation -Recommendation of the European Ombudsman in case 366/2017/AMF on the handling of alleged lack of equal opportunities for staff at the European Investment Bank and the functioning of its whistleblowing procedure
-
-
16 April 2018
-
Decision -Decision in case 108/2018/FOR on the European Commission’s refusal to grant public access to documents related to an infringement procedure against Spain
-
-
10 April 2018
-
09 April 2018
-
Case opened -Failure by the European Commission to disclose information relating to the existence of EU Pilot procedures and to proactively publish Member Statesʹ reports on the implementation of Council Regulation N° 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy1 (the “Control Regulation”)
-
-
06 April 2018
-
Case opened -The European Medicines Agency’s handling of multiple requests for public access to documents made by a single applicant and its extension of deadlines based on its high workload
-
-
05 April 2018
-
Decision -Decision in case 59/2018/TN on the European Commission’s reply to correspondence concerning EU citizenship for UK nationals post-Brexit
-